Nothing to Be Afraid Of

Winner--June 26, 2009

ID: 896794   (Rated: 13+) Daily Flash Fiction Challenge  Enter your story of 300 words or less. Note new starting time! by arakun the twisted raccoon

         Maxine yanked open the closet door and turned to the tearful child who was sitting on the bed, “There, you see?  No monsters.  It’s your imagination that’s all.  There’s nothing in there but your clothes.”

         The child held her doll more tightly and didn’t move.  “Come here,” Maxine said.  “Come here and look for yourself.”  The child didn’t move, just stared at Maxine with wide gray eyes.

         “I said, come here and look.  See for yourself.  Nothing in there but clothes.”

         The child got off the bed and walked toward the closet door. 

         “Look.  Look in there.  Do you see any monsters?”

         The child looked as Maxine pushed the hangers to one side. “See?  Just clothes, your own clothes.  Do you see a monster?  Answer me!”

         The child shook her head. 

         “Anything to be afraid of?”

         “N -- no.”

         “Then get ready for bed, and let’s hear no more nonsense about monsters.”

         Maxine laid a nightgown on the bed and left the room.  Slowly the child began undressing, keeping a watch on the closet door.  She set her little shoes on the floor by the bed, pulled off her socks and her overalls.  She pulled the nightie over her head and sat down on the bed again.  She knew what was going to happen.

         It crawled out of the corner at the back of the closet.  It crouched on the floor and looked at her.  It stretched its mouth into a ghastly grin showing rows of spiky teeth.  Its eyes were white orbs, no iris, no pupil, but she knew it could see her.  Its voice was like dry leaves.  “What are you afraid of?  You heard the big one.  I’m your imagination.”

         This time she didn’t scream.  It reached for her.  She whimpered as it began to feed.